[Hydroxy-9-methyl-2-ellipticinium (NSC 264-137) for osseous metastases from breast cancer. A 4 year experience (author's transl)].

In 96 patients (95 women--1 man) with osseous metastases from breast cancer suitable for analysis an objective remission was obtained with hydroxy-9-methyl-2-ellipticinium (100 mg/m2 weekly) in 31 cases. These responses lasted from 3 to 17 months. The main characteristic of this compound is its lack of marrow toxicity, a property of value in osseous lesions where marrow is so frequently involved, making difficult the use of conventional chemical drugs. The principal unpleasant drawback is an inhibition of the salivary secretion which causes other side effects such as tongue mycosis, anorexia, and asthenia. Less frequently immunologic disorders and a few cases of renal insufficiency were observed.